Mushroom Cakes Wavocado Pesto And Red Pepper Coulis Recipes

MUSHROOM CAKES W/AVOCADO PESTO AND RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• RED PEPPER COULIS:.
• Char peppers over gas flame or broiler until blackened all over.
• Seal in plastic or paper bag; let stand 15 minutes.
• Peel and seed peppers; place in blender.
• Place garlic cloves in small dry skillet.
• Cover, cook over medium heat until browned and tender, shaking skillet occasionally, about 7 minutes.
• Cool, peel garlic; add to blender with peppers.
• Add milk and honey to blender.
• Puree until smooth.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• *DO AHEAD - can be made up to 2 days ahead.
• MUSHROOM CAKES:.
• Melt butter with oil in large heavy skillet over medium high heat.
• Add all mushrooms and sauté until browned and edges begin to crisp, stirring often, about 14 minutes.
• Add garlic; stir 1 minute.
• Transfer mixture to processor.
• Add eggs, Parmesan, herbs, salt and pepper to processor.
• Pulsing on/off turns, process until mushrooms are coarsely chopped.
• Transfer to large bowl & mix in 1/2 cup of panko.
• Divide mushroom mixture into 8 equal portions (1/4 to 1/2 cup each.).
• Form each into 3/4 inch thick cake.
• Spread additional panko out on plate.
• Coat cakes with panko.
• Place on rimmed baking sheet.
• **DO AHEAD - Can be made 4 hours ahead: cover & chill.
• AVOCADO PESTO:.
• Place pine nuts or cashews in processor, pulsing on/off turns, process until coarsely ground.
• Add avocado, Parmesan, cilantro, parsley, and lime juice.
• Process to blend.
• With machine running gradually and 1/4 cup oil through feed tube.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• ***DO AHEAD - Can be made 2 hours ahead: cover & chill.
• Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Melt butter with 2 T oil in large skillet over medium heat.
• Working in 2 batches. add mushroom cakes; cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer to baking sheet; place in oven.
• Spoon about 1/3 cup avocado pesto into center of each plate, using back of spoon, spread out to 5 inch round.
• Place 2 cakes on each plate.
• Drizzle with red pepper coulis.

RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sweet red peppers and garlic and saute for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix in the vinegar and sugar.
• Add the red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 15 more minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and basil; simmer for 10 more minutes.
• Serve hot.

ROASTED RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400. (I use my toaster oven).
• Place peppers on a baking sheet and roast until all sides are blackened (about 25 minutes) turning occasionally.
• Cool peppers, lift off skins, then cut in half and core.
• In a food processor combine peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and basil leaves. Process until smooth.

ROASTED RED PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Cut the roasted and cooled peppers into small pieces and puree with remaining ingredients in a blender. Makes about 1 cup.
• Note: to oven roast peppers, place under a broiler in a pan on the rack positioned about 6 inches from the pre-heated source of heat and turn frequently to blacken all sides. Transfer the roasted peppers to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let them steam for 10-15 minutes. Using a small knife, cut away the stems, open the peppers up and remove the seeds and membranes. Wipe the work surface clean with a damp towel whenever necessary. Scrape away the charred skin.

MUSHROOM PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the dried porcini mushrooms and water in a small microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, cut several steam vents, and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let stand until the mushrooms soften, about 5 minutes. Lift the mushrooms from the liquid with a fork and mince. Pour the liquid through a small strainer lined with a single sheet of paper towel into a measuring cup.
• Meanwhile, combine the white mushrooms, shallot, 1 tbls. of the oil, and 1/2 teaspoons salt together in a 12" nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium low heat until the mushrooms release their juice, about 7 minutes.
• Uncover, increase the heat to medium high, and stir in the garlic and thyme. Continue to cook, uncovered, until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the strained porcini water, scraping up any browned bits.
• Process the sauteed mushroom mixture, minced porcini, Parmesan, ricotta, parsley, and remaining 1 tbls. oil in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• When tossing the pesto with pasta, add some of the pasta cooking water as needed to loosen the consistency of the pesto.
• Note:.
• The pesto can be covered with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed flush against its surface and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Do not freeze this pesto.

PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Rinse 1 red or yellow bell pepper (about 10 oz.); pat dry.
• Set pepper in a 9-inch pie or cake pan and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, turning as needed, until charred on all sides, about 15 minutes total.
• Let cool.
• With a small, sharp knife, remove and discard skin, stem, and seeds. Coarsely chop pepper and place in a blender or food processor.
• Add 1 tablespoon water and 1 teaspoon olive oil; whirl until smooth.
• Add salt and cayenne to taste.
• If coulis is thicker than desired, thin with 1 to 2 more tablespoons water.